Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 103431 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 517(@200wpm)___ 414(@250wpm)___ 345(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103431 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 517(@200wpm)___ 414(@250wpm)___ 345(@300wpm)
“I can only imagine,” I say with a lightness I don't actually feel. “But he's in good hands with his Aunt Scar.” I open my arms, and she passes James my way. “Aren't ya? You know you are.”
He snuggles into me, rubbing his cheek against mine.
“Holy shit. You sure you wanna let her hold him?”
My heart launches itself into my throat as I freeze on the spot. Why is he here and why does his deep, raspy voice curl my toes?
I reposition James to my other hip right as Ellis enters the room alongside Atlas. “Why are you here?” I ask bluntly.
“Be nice,” Nora pleads, though I’m not entirely sure which of us she’s speaking to. She turns to me, worrying her lower lip between her teeth. “Please don’t be mad.”
Her big puppy dog eyes and anxious tone set me on edge. Something’s up, and I’m definitely not going to like it.
“Why would I be mad?” I ask even as dread settles in my gut like a stone.
“Looks like they finally wised up about leaving James alone with you,” Ellis murmurs, looking all too proud of himself.
A pang of hurt rubs against my tender heart, but I shake it off before it can take root. He’s full of it, he has to be. Ellis Wilder is nothing more than a dumb boy desperate to get a rise out of me.
“If I’m so terrible, why was I their first choice, huh?” I snuggle James closer, swaying on my feet as I try to keep my cool. I really shouldn’t goad him, but he gets under my skin like no one else.
“A temporary lapse in judgment,” he mumbles, tilting his head sideways as he takes me in. “God knows, I wouldn’t trust you to watch my dog.”
“You don’t even have a dog.” Really, Scarlet? That’s the best comeback you could think of? You sound like an idiot.
“Not the point, Scar.”
“Then what is your point?” I demand, my patience wearing thin.
Nora, bless her heart, is watching the two of us with equal amounts of concern and intrigue… like we’re a train veering off the tracks, and she can’t look away.
“I’m just saying,” Ellis presses on, his tone conversational, like we’re two strangers discussing the weather. “I don't know what kind of spell you've worked on Nora, but Atlas and I are immune.” He crosses his arms over his stupidly broad chest and glares at me like I’m evil incarnate. “I'm here to make sure nothing bad happens. After all, you have a history.”
I gasp, his words hitting their intended target like a poison-tipped arrow, sinking deep into my subconscious. I can practically feel the toxins working their way into my bloodstream as I fight like hell to keep my tears at bay and think of a snappy retort.
Luckily, Nora has my back, giving me time to lock down my emotions. “What is wrong with you?” she spits with murder in her eyes. “You apologize right now or... or… or you can leave!” She stomps her foot for good measure, and I swear if I didn't think it would send her running, I'd hug her.
Ellis visibly deflates, dropping his eyes toward the floor. Upsetting Nora is tantamount to kicking a puppy, so I know he feels awful.
Like the chicken shit he is, he mumbles a vague apology to his feet.
His lackluster apology doesn't faze me though, because I'm over here feeling like the anti-Grinch—with my heart three sizes too big—thanks to Nora standing up for me. Does that make me a sap? Maybe so, but after a lifetime of no one ever truly having my back, it feels damn good to be got.
“He isn’t leaving,” Atlas says, finally joining the conversation. “Nora told me about the notes you’ve been getting. When I asked Ellis here as a precautionary measure, he shed a little more light on the situation.” He narrows his eyes my way, silently telling me he knows there’s more to it than what I told Nora. “It’s final.”
My heart sinks to my gut as my entire body warms under his scrutiny. I want so badly to be annoyed, but at the same time, I get it—so I swallow back any arguments, bitter as they may be. “Understood.”
“She has sense, after all,” Ellis mutters to no one in particular. I want to chew him a new one—desperately—but I’ll take his usually brand of assholery over talking about me and my many shortcomings.
Or my stupid admirer, for that matter. Especially since Ellis has actually read one of the letters.
“Anyway.” Nora cuts her eyes toward the guys. “You both have our numbers and the number to the bed and breakfast is on the fridge. We'll be home before lunch tomorrow. If you need anything, and I mean anything, don't hesitate to call.”
“Ten-four,” Ellis says, still refusing to look my way. Which is perfectly fine by me. He can never look at me again for all I care. The less I have to see his handsome—I mean stupid—face the better.